Bromley

Bromley's population grew in the 10 years leading up to the latest census. Data from the census also show there were changes in religion, housing tenure and ethnicity.

The population reached nearly 310,000

In the 10 years leading up to the latest census, the population of Bromley increased by 4.7%, from almost 296,000 to 309,000.

The addition of almost 14,000 people means this area's population increased at a slower rate than the total population of England (up 7.9% since the 2001 census).

In 2011, Bromley was home to, on average, 15 people per football pitch-sized piece of land. This made it London's least densely-populated borough.

Population density was lower than the average across London

Population density (usual residents per football pitch-sized piece of land) across London, March 2011 (larger dots represent greater increase since 2001)

An older Bromley

Census 2011 data also show a change in the local population's average age.

Between the last two censuses, the median age of Bromley increased by two years, from 38 to 40 years.

This affluent suburban area had the highest average age in London and remained slightly older than the average local authority area across England (39 years of age).

The rise in age was because of an increase of just over 9,300 people between the ages of 40 and 49 years, while the population between 30 and 39 years decreased by about 6,000.

About 16% of people in Bromley are aged between 40 and 49 years

Percentage of usual residents in England, London and Bromley by 10 year age band, March 2001 and March 2011

Religion in Bromley

The number of people in Bromley that described themselves as having no religion increased from just over 48,000 in 2001 to just over 80,000 in 2011. This represents a change from 16% to 26% of the local population.

The percentage increased by more than the average across London (from 16% to 21%), but at a similar rate to the average across England (from 15% to 25%).

The number of people in Bromley that described themselves as Christian decreased from just over 210,000 in 2001 to just under 190,000 in 2011 (from 72% to 61%). The number of people who did not disclose their religious affiliation increased from about 23,000 to about 24,000 (from 7.6% to 7.8%).

Just over 7,800 people (1.7%) said they were Muslim, up from just over 4,900 in 2001 (2.5%).

The population without a religion in Bromley increased by 9.6 percentage points

Percentage of usual residents in England, London and Bromley by religion, March 2001 and March 2011

Rise in private renting

The percentage of households in Bromley that rented privately increased from 8.5% to 13% in the decade to 2011.

The percentage that lived in social housing remained close to 14%, while the percentage of Bromley households that owned their home decreased from 75% to 71%.

The proportion of privately rented homes decreased faster here than in any other local authority district across London. As a result, this area had Greater London's third lowest proportion of privately rented homes.

Private renting in Bromley increased by 4.8 percentage points

Percentage of households in Bromley, London and England that rented privately, March 2001 and March 2011

Changing household dynamics

The percentage of households in Bromley, which comprised one person, remained close to 31% in the decade leading up to the most recent census.

In 2011, just under 1 in 11 (8.9%) households had an unmarried couple, compared with 8.2% in 2001. The percentage of households in Bromley which comprised a married couple (with or without children) decreased from 36% to 34%.

The proportion of one-person households increased at a slower rate here than the figure for the whole of London (from 35% in 2001 to 32% in 2011). Across England, the percentage remained close to 30%.

The percentage of households with only one person was lower than across London

Percentage of households that comprised only one person across local authority areas in London and the average across England, March 2011

Change in unpaid care provision

The percentage of Bromley residents that provided at least 50 hours of weekly unpaid care increased from 1.7% to 2.0% in the decade to 2011.

The percentage who reported providing between 20 and 49 hours of unpaid care each week remained close to 0.8%.

The proportion of people providing 50 hours, or more, of weekly unpaid care increased at a similar rate to the figure for the whole of London (from 1.7% in 2001 to 1.8% in 2011). Across England, the percentage increased from 2.1% to 2.4%.

The proportion of people providing 50 hours, or more, of weekly unpaid care in Bromley remained close to 2.0%

Percentage of usual residents in England, London and Bromley by care, March 2001 and March 2011

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